Ptyas major
Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~50%
The Chinese green snake (Ptyas major) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The Chinese green snake is a slender, medium-sized snake, averaging 75–90 cm (2½-3 feet) in total length, but occasionally growing to 120 cm (4 feet). Bright green above; ventral scales greenish-yellow. Dorsal scales smooth except that males have several mid-dorsal scale rows keeled. Some specimens have scattered black spots on dorsum. Dead specimens often turn bluish.
The Chinese green snake can be found in central and southern China (Hainan, Henan, Gansu, Anhui, Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Hong Kong), Taiwan, northern Vietnam, Laos and Bangladesh (Sylhet, Ratargul Swamp Forest).
It is found in humid forests and farmland. The Chinese green snake is diurnal and semi-arboreal. When encountered, they are mild-mannered and rarely bite. Their diet includes earthworms, insect larvae, and other soft-bodied invertebrates. They are oviparous, laying 2–16 eggs per clutch. Young snakes hatch in about two months. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taroko National Park | 🇹🇼 Taiwan |
More parks will be added in future updates.
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Chinese Green Snake sighting in Hong Kong on a given day, based on 41 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 18th most-seen of the 43 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 50%, if each day is a fresh chance.
June
In that month about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Chinese Green Snake in Hong Kong on a given day, against under 5% in November to March, the lowest months. That is one of Hong Kong's wettest months, with about 280 mm of rain against 25 mm in December.
Between 8 and 11 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Chinese Green Snake sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is mostly seen at night.
Among the best
Of the 3 cities where we can rate Chinese Green Snake sightings, Hong Kong ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Taipei (Taiwan, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Chinese Green Snake is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Hong Kong (41 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
